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Address: The Banks, DurhamDH1 3EB, England

Phone Number: +44 191 334 2932

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Description: The Old Fulling Mill Museum of Archaeology on the banks of the river Wear...

The Old Fulling Mill Museum of Archaeology on the banks of the river Wear is now closed to the public. A new permanent gallery exploring the lives of the people who have lived in County Durham over the past 10,000 years has now opened at Durham University's Palace Green Library. Entry to the gallery is free for everyone.
'Living on the hills: 10,000 years of Durham' is the new home for Durham University's Museum of Archaeology. The new gallery uses the collections from the Museum of Archaeology alongside objects from across Durham University and other regional museums to explore the history and archaeology of the County.
Gemma Lewis, gallery curator said: "Living on the Hills reveals the lives of the ordinary people who lived in or visited Durham over thousands of years using the tools, cups, bowls and the other everyday objects they used."
"The displays highlight the art and architecture left behind to be rediscovered by modern archaeologists: amateur and professional. Visitors can see prehistoric objects found by chance at the turn of the century, Roman objects uncovered by Victorian antiquarians and Medieval objects found during 1970s archaeological excavations."
The gallery includes a community archaeology space which will showcase the work of local archaeology and history groups from across the region.
Community groups who are interested in working with the museum team to create future displays for this area are encouraged to get in touch.
The development of this exhibition has been funded by the Sir James Knott Trust and conservation has been supported by the Arts Council.
The refurbishment of the gallery space was funded by the Wolfson Foundation.
In addition to the Museum of Archaeology collections, objects for the exhibition have been generously lent by the Dean and Chapter of Durham Cathedral, the Bowes Museum, Hartlepool Cultural Services, Tees Archaeology and Preston Park Museum, and the School of Biological Sciences at Durham University.

It's cheap to get in but it's opening hours are odd, it's looking very tired and is in desperate need of a good deal of maintenance. There's spelling mistakes galore in the displays, if you need something to keep the kids interested.
It's a shame, as there is potential there.

Housing a modest but well-presented archaeology display for the last three decades (the Mill used to be the dept of archaeology for a few years too), the collections and display are moving up to Palace Green some time later in 2013. The Roman Samian Ware (posh red table ware) collection is one of the finest anywhere.

It's only £1 to get in and is run by the university but this is a very tired museum. There are a few bits and pieces on the ground floor that are quite interesting but could be better - they have obviously been on display for a long time. I imagine the upstairs is popular with kids as you get...
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The museum itself is mostly designed for younger visitors and there is no more than a few pieces on display.
But the path that we walked to get there, alongside the river bank, was absolutely beautiful. It was so tranquil and calm that you don't want to leave.
If you go to Durham don't miss walking from Durham Castle to...
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